Factual errors lead publisher to offer refund on Fergie’s autobiography

After several readers complained to Hodder and Stoughton, the publishing firm has offered a refund to one customer who spotted as many as 45 factual errors in the tome.

Hodder and Stoughton CEO Jeromy Hodder is believed to have replied in person by email to the complainant, offering a full refund in exchange for the return of Ferguson’s autobiography.

Mr Hodder wrote the following to the customer: “We did in fact go through several stages of fact-checking with this book, with a reading from within Manchester United as well as from a specialist football fact-checker.

“Although a very large number of corrections were made we plainly did not pick up everything.

“Possible corrections that have so far been helpfully pointed out are being checked and will be included in future reprints.

“I am sorry that you feel that your expenditure on the book was not worthwhile. If you would like to send the book to me at our head office address, stating where you bought the book and at what price, we will refund your expenditure and postage.”

The errors were found from start to finish of the 402 page book with mistakes including the age at which Ryan Giggs made his debut for the Red Devils and the year Ferguson had his pacemaker fitted. Other errors which have made the cut are the years that Roy Keane served with the club – Ferguson said it was 11, but it was more than 12, the year United became a PLC – 1990 not 1991, the year he got his pacemaker fitted – it was 2004, not 2002, and even who he sold Dutch defender Jaap Stam to – the manager said it was Roma, but it was actually Lazio. The book also said that Giggs made his United debut at 16 when the Welshman was in fact 17 years-old.

My Autobiography was released last month and despite the inaccuracies has since become the UK’s fastest-selling non-fiction book, selling close to 120,000 copies in its first week on sale.

Here’s a list of ten gaffes taken from the book:

Argentine pair Gabriel Heinze and Juan Sebastian Veron apparently had a row during a game against Portsmouth. But the two never played for United at the same time. Oops.

Reflecting on Gianfranco Zola’s goal for Chelsea against United in 1997, Ferguson recalls one dressing-room exchange:

Author Info

James Clancy

A qualified Irish football journalist and photographer with an interest in all aspects and all of football. My knowledge is dominated by (but certainly not limited to) Irish and British football issues; contemporary, nostalgic, current affairs and quirky. Being a youngster during the 1990 World Cup has also given me a soft spot for Italy and Italian football ever since. Email: james@hoogensports.com